After writing a column last month on this serene local wilderness, I heard from several people associated with the maintenance of the Abita Creek Flatwoods Preserve. Located about five miles east of Abita Springs with access from Highway 435, the Preserve welcomes visitors and encourages Abitans to get involved with protecting this natural space located right in their “neck of the woods.”

Rare carnivorous Pitcher Plants, as seen from the boardwalk at the Abita Creek Flatwoods Preserve. (Photo by Kara Martinez Bachman)

The Preserve’s handicapped-accessible boardwalk was constructed about 10 years ago with the help of volunteers, who donated more than 1,200 volunteer hours to the project. The walkway allows visitors to safely enjoy viewing the expansive 900-plus acres and the rare Pitcher Plant bogs they contain.

Alex Entrup, a Restoration Technician from the Northshore Field Office for the Nature Conservancy, explains how forces of nature shaped the parcel carved out for the Preserve.

“The longleaf savanna at Abita Creek Flatwoods is a ‘fire dependent’ ecosystem,” explained Entrup, “meaning that historically, lightning-caused fires frequently burned through the understory, invigorating the grasses and wildflowers, while keeping shrubs and small trees from taking over.”

“As a result,” continued Entrup, “longleaf savannas have an open and park-like appearance, and contain diverse plant life and associated animals.”

Entrup, who works out of the Conservancy Office located at Money Hill, explained that part of the task of the Conservancy is to maintain this natural process with controlled burns.

“The most important management tool we use is controlled fire, which mimics the natural fires of the past. The Nature Conservancy has been conducting controlled burns at Abita Creek Flatwoods Preserve since 1998. TNC has a highly trained prescribed fire crew to conduct the burns,” said Entrup.

The work of Entrup and other staff results in a landscape that feels less congested than much of what we commonly experience on the north shore, which is densely forested; the preserve feels more open.

“We are very proud of it and want the local community to be aware of its existence so close to Abita Springs,” said Nelwyn McInnis, Mitigation Program Manager at the Northshore Field Office.

“The Nature Conservancy is an international non-profit conservation organization,” said Entrup. “TNC has conserved more than 285,000 acres across Louisiana, and has protected 4,000 acres of longleaf savanna on the north shore alone.”

“We will be hosting a volunteer tree planting day sometime in January,” said Entrup. “Volunteers have planted over 15,000 trees at Abita Creek since its founding. Anyone who would like to volunteer can sign up.” Those interested in volunteering for tree planting or other activities aimed at maintaining this piece of wilderness on the north shore can email lafo@tnc.org to be added to the volunteer email list.

Autumn may be the perfect time to set aside an hour to walk the trail, taking in the various species of interesting plants or enjoying an area recognized for its bird-watching opportunities.

“Fall wildflowers are now in bloom, so it is a great time to visit,” said Entrup.